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Be a Pro-Blogger: 10 tips for diabetes bloggers

15 February 2016

It doesn’t matter if you’re an established diabetes blogger such as Ninjabetic or Everyday Ups and Downs, or have started blogging for the first time; we can all contribute to the growing diabetic blogger community. Many diabetes bloggers claim writing about their condition is a therapeutic activity, with expressions of creativity enabling them to cope with frustrations and difficulties.

We all need support and last year we enjoyed working with the community to share information about the Freestyle Libre system.

Tucked away in the Abbott Diabetes Division are years of valuable blogging experience. So we’ve collated this post to share some of the most useful tips from our marketing experts. Do you have any tips to add? Let us know by commenting on our Facebook Page and you could be mentioned in a follow-up blog post.

1. Blogging is a marathon, not a sprint

Don’t expect to build up a dedicated audience straight away. Blogging takes time, commitment, and organisation. Some of the most memorable diabetes bloggers today have been writing for at least three years. Be prepared for the long-haul.

2. Work as a community

Your diabetic journey is personal, but the best way to build a following is to share your experiences and help others in the online community. Publish posts, but also follow other likeminded bloggers on social media, contributing to blog posts when appropriate.

3. Join in with Diabetes Blog Week (#DBlogWeek)

Like all active social media communities, diabetic bloggers know how to have fun. So this summer don’t forget to join in with Diabetes Blog Week which will (hopefully!) be running for its seventh year. Last year 195 people joined up and 750 posts were created.

4. Build subscribers, they are your fans

Too many bloggers rely on traffic from search engines without building their own list of subscribers. Make sure you provide links to your social media profiles and an option for readers to receive blog updates via email. Once you’ve built a core following, this will soon contribute to your monthly visitor statistics.

5. Consider types of posts

Each blog post doesn’t have to be a diary entry. Try writing top tips, a Buzzfeed style photo post, reply to what other bloggers have written about… the possibilities are endless. If you fancy a break from writing try doing a video blog, a Vlog if you will.

Try something different by offering more than blogging. Try producing small how-to or advice guides, offer blogger training or exclusive newsletters for subscribers, arrange real-world coffee mornings with the local community.

8. Find popular or niche topics to write about

In the end, most of the people who visit your blog will probably have come from search engines. So think about what issues people with diabetes may be searching about. Are there niche articles you could write about diabetes? In the end your blog posts need to stand out from the crowd, even blog about your diabetic cat.

9. Images and video

Nothing beats good quality writing, apart from images and video. Today all blog posts should also include images and video so that they are visually appealing, enticing clicks from social media sites. If you’re stuck for good quality images, try searching on Creative Commons libraries.

10. When stuck, go for a breath of fresh air

With so many blog posts to write each month, finding creative inspiration can be tough at times. In these times of need, leave the glare of your computer screen and have a break. Once you’ve cleared your mind, hopefully your next post will become clear.

What have we missed? If you have any tips don’t forget to post them on our Facebook Page.

FreeStyle Libre

Flash Glucose Monitoring System

Why prick when you can scan?1

*1. Scanning the sensor to obtain glucose values does not require lancets 2.
A finger prick test using a blood glucose meter is required during times of rapidly changing glucose
levels when interstitial fluid glucose levels may not accurately reflect blood glucose levels, or if
hypoglycemia or impending hypoglycemia is reported but the symptoms do not match the system readings.×

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